Healthcare has long since been one of Australia’s most in-demand industries, a trend that is expected to continue according to the Australian government, which is predicting a boom in the near future. In 2018, a report from Deloitte Access Economics predicted that forecasts are nursing workforce growth at 2.8 per cent from 2016-2017 to 2021-2022. In comparison, expected growth during the same period for the general Australian workforce sits at an average of 1.5 per cent. Obviously, that was before COVID; however, the shortage of nurses and the strain this has put on the health system has forced the government into action to prevent that shortage from becoming critical. But which field should you concentrate on?
The current situation we find ourselves in may result in more opportunities than ever for new nurses, with more routes to entry than ever before. The Australian College of Nursing has put forward several proposals that could have a dramatic positive impact on those entering the nursing sector.
For example, they have proposed numerous extra scholarships to be funded over the next four years, including:
- Up to 200 scholarships for postgraduate studies for nurses working within the mental health area over four years
- Up to 160 scholarships for postgraduate studies for nurses working in community and primary health care areas
- 260 scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the aged care sector over four years
- Up to 120 additional scholarships for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS); this would include scholarships for postgraduate study
- $720,000 over three years to establish the Leading Excellence through Advanced Practice (LEAP) Scholarship Program, delivering 150 scholarships to support the development of the next generation of Australian nurses
Another initiative would be a transition to practice program (TTPP) for 2,000 newly registered nurses to be practice-ready. Research demonstrates that newly qualified RNs are often inadequately prepared for the workplace following formal nursing education. Newly qualified RNs refer to the workplace expectations as a ‘reality shock’. This is because RNs are expected to be ‘work ready’ after completing their pre-registration education, despite feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities and ‘life or death’ decision-making. Whilst most health professions have programs assisting new graduates in transitioning from their education to the work environment, not all newly qualified RNs have the opportunity to undertake a TTPP to support them into the workplace. The new program would be offered to 2,000 newly registered nurses. New graduate RNs who have not been successful in acquiring a funded workplace will be eligible for placement. Participants will work independently through the program and have the option of four weeks of a workplace learning experience.
Sadly, the pandemic has put a spotlight on the shortage of RNs in the aged care sector. A recent report stated that there is a need for a tenfold increase in the numbers of registered nurses between now and 2050. Currently, there are about 22,000 registered nurses working in aged care, but by 2050 Australia will need over 200,000 registered nurses. Teaching Universities are poised to be more flexible in the programs they offer so that postgraduate education is not just research-focused. Universities are preparing to work with industry to develop programs that meet industry needs and eventuate in skilled registered nurses who are able to provide quality care to older Australians and are skilled in leading teams.
Mental health nursing is also an area to consider. According to projections published by Health Workforce Australia, this sector is the one that is likeliest to suffer from the most dramatic worker shortages in the future. “Mental health is a national health and research priority, and as such, this is a growth area for healthcare workers,” says Charles Darwin University Associate Professor and registered nurse Mel Underwood. “This area is in high demand for nurses due to the range of healthcare settings in which clients with mental health challenges access. These cross over with general care settings, so knowledge and skills in mental health nursing are valuable across all nursing areas.”
Critical care nursing is another area of specialisation that is always in demand. Mental Health nurses help their patients cope with a range of conditions, ranging from minor bouts of anxiety or stress through to serious psychiatric disorders. This area is in high demand for nurses due to the range of healthcare settings in which clients with mental health challenges access. These cross over with general care settings, so knowledge and skills in mental health nursing are valuable across all nursing areas.
